Rezar
Gzim Selmani (born June 16, 1994), better known by the ring name Rezar, is a Dutch professional wrestler and former mixed martial artist of Albanian descent.[1][2][3] Born in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Selmani began his combat sports career as a K-1 kickboxer before transitioning to mixed martial arts, where he compiled a professional record of 4-2, competing in promotions such as Bellator MMA and BAMMA, with notable victories including a submission win over former UFC fighter Oli Thompson.[4][2][5] Selmani signed with WWE in 2015 and debuted on the NXT brand under the Rezar moniker, quickly forming the dominant tag team The Authors of Pain (AOP) alongside Akam and under the management of Paul Ellering.[6][7] The team captured the NXT Tag Team Championship on January 28, 2017, and also won the 2016 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic tournament, establishing themselves as powerhouse competitors with signature moves including the Last Chapter and Super Collider.[6][7] Promoted to the main roster in April 2018, AOP won the Raw Tag Team Championship on November 5, 2018, before losing the titles to The New Day on December 10, 2018.[7][8] The team was then sidelined following Akam's knee surgery in early 2019, and Rezar underwent surgery for a torn bicep injury sustained in March 2020, which kept him out of action until 2022.[9][10] After re-signing with WWE in 2023 and returning to television in 2024 with sporadic appearances, including a reunion with AOP on the January 5, 2024, episode of SmackDown where they aligned with Karrion Kross and Scarlett as part of The Final Testament, Rezar and his teammates were released by WWE on February 7, 2025, as part of a series of talent cuts.[6][11][12] Post-WWE, Selmani has returned to combat sports, announcing in September 2025 his participation in Misfits Boxing under his real name and challenging strongman Eddie Hall to a match, leveraging his 6-foot-4, 330-pound frame and background in striking and grappling.[13][7][6]Early life and training
Childhood and heritage
Gzim Selmani, professionally known as Rezar, was born on June 16, 1994, in Amsterdam, Netherlands, to parents of Kosovo Albanian descent.[4][14] His family's roots trace back to Mitrovica in Kosovo, reflecting a heritage tied to the Albanian community in the region.[15][16] Like many families of Kosovo Albanian origin during that era, Selmani's parents immigrated to the Netherlands prior to his birth, escaping the ethnic tensions and instability in the Balkans that would later escalate into the Kosovo War.[17] This migration placed the family within the Albanian diaspora in Europe, where Albanian cultural identity, including language and traditions, played a significant role in shaping his early sense of heritage.[3][17] Selmani spent his early childhood in Huizen, a town near Amsterdam, in a modest family environment that emphasized resilience and community ties from their Kosovo origins.[18] His upbringing in the Netherlands provided stability, though it was influenced by the challenges of immigrant life and maintaining Albanian customs.[17] By age four, he began exploring martial arts as an outlet, marking an initial step toward his athletic path.[18]Introduction to combat sports
Rezar, born Gzim Selmani, began his journey in combat sports at a young age, starting with judo training at four years old in the Netherlands, to which his family had immigrated from Kosovo prior to his birth. Growing up in Huizen near Amsterdam, his early exposure to judo laid the groundwork for discipline and technique in grappling and throws, fostering a strong foundation in martial arts amid the vibrant Dutch combat sports scene. He became a national judo champion in the Netherlands in the under-12 and under-16 categories.[19][20][21] By age 12, Selmani transitioned to kickboxing, drawn to its striking emphasis, and trained rigorously in local gyms around the Amsterdam area, honing footwork, power generation, and defensive skills through consistent drills and sparring sessions. This progression built on his judo base, enhancing his overall athleticism and resilience in stand-up combat. Influenced by the region's renowned martial arts community, including access to experienced coaches who emphasized technical precision, he developed a versatile fighting style during these formative years.[19] At 15, Selmani expanded into mixed martial arts training alongside his brother Egzon, integrating striking and grappling in amateur sessions that further refined his adaptability and endurance. These early experiences in the Amsterdam region's dojos allowed him to experiment with combining disciplines, prioritizing strategic transitions between stand-up and ground work under guidance from local trainers focused on holistic fighter development. His Kosovo Albanian heritage served as a motivational anchor, instilling a sense of cultural pride that fueled his dedication to the sports.[22][19]Pre-wrestling combat career
Kickboxing achievements
Selmani began competing in kickboxing events across the Netherlands and Germany in the early 2010s, building a foundation through amateur bouts that showcased his developing striking technique.[20] Prior to transitioning to mixed martial arts, Selmani captured the Professional Kickboxing Heavyweight Championship by prevailing in an eight-man single-night tournament in Bremerhaven, Germany, where he secured victories over multiple opponents to claim the title.[19] These kickboxing experiences sharpened Selmani's stand-up fighting skills, particularly his knockout power and footwork, providing a critical edge in striking exchanges during his subsequent MMA bouts.[20]Mixed martial arts career
Rezar, competing under his ring name and birth name Gzim Selmani, began his mixed martial arts journey with an undefeated amateur record of 2-0 in 2012, showcasing his grappling and striking skills developed from prior kickboxing training.[2] His amateur debut came on July 8, 2012, against Kaan Postaci at Shaolin Ryu - Fight Club Den Haag 2012, where he secured a first-round TKO via punches.[2] Later that year, on October 13, 2012, he submitted Jorrit Leemans with an armbar in the second round at Shooto Holland - Warriors 1, concluding his amateur career without a loss.[2] Transitioning to professional MMA in late 2012, Selmani compiled a 4-2 record over six bouts, with all victories coming via finish (1 TKO, 3 submissions) before retiring in 2014 to focus on professional wrestling.[2] His professional debut occurred on November 24, 2012, at Klash Champions Battlefield - Road to Glory, where he defeated Anatoli Ciumac by TKO due to retirement in the second round.[2] This was followed by a loss to Ante Delija via first-round TKO (punches) on May 24, 2013, at Final Fight Championship 5.[2] Selmani rebounded with submission wins in 2013, choking Mario Milosavljevic with a guillotine in 35 seconds at Bosnia Fight Championship 1 on November 9, and arm-triangling Tomaz Simonic in the first round at Final Fight Championship 10 on December 13.[2] A highlight of his career came on April 5, 2014, at BAMMA 15, where Selmani achieved a notable technical submission victory over UFC veteran Oli Thompson just 18 seconds into the first round.[2] His final fight was a loss to Daniel Gallemore by second-round TKO (punches) at Bellator MMA - Bellator 130 on October 24, 2014.[2] These bouts across promotions like Final Fight Championship, BAMMA, and Bellator highlighted Selmani's aggressive style blending striking and ground control, though both defeats were by knockout.[23]| Date | Opponent | Result | Method | Round | Time | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 08, 2012 | Kaan Postaci | Win | TKO (Punches) | 1 | N/A | Shaolin Ryu - Fight Club Den Haag 2012 |
| Oct 13, 2012 | Jorrit Leemans | Win | Submission (Armbar) | 2 | 2:32 | Shooto Holland - Warriors 1 |
| Nov 24, 2012 | Anatoli Ciumac | Win | TKO (Retirement) | 2 | 5:00 | Klash Champions Battlefield - Road to Glory |
| May 24, 2013 | Ante Delija | Loss | TKO (Punches) | 1 | 3:09 | Final Fight Championship 5 |
| Nov 09, 2013 | Mario Milosavljevic | Win | Submission (Guillotine) | 1 | 0:35 | Bosnia Fight Championship 1 |
| Dec 13, 2013 | Tomaz Simonic | Win | Submission (Arm-Triangle) | 1 | 1:54 | Final Fight Championship 10 |
| Apr 05, 2014 | Oli Thompson | Win | Technical Submission (Choke) | 1 | 0:18 | BAMMA 15 - Thompson vs. Selmani |
| Oct 24, 2014 | Daniel Gallemore | Loss | TKO (Punches) | 2 | 4:33 | Bellator MMA - Bellator 130 |